[120a] That is, he would not cowardly desert his post, and thus leave an opening in the rank.
[120b] During the Christmas festivities, which lasted for twelve days:
“Llon ceiliog a thwylluan
Au deuddeng-nydd yn hoean”—Engl. y Misoedd.
On those occasions Bards and minstrels were frequent guests at the halls of the nobility, and their company contributed not a little to the general entertainment. The air “Nos Galan,” we may fairly presume, was a favourite at those festivities.
[120c] The word “arvaeth” in this poem seems to have a reference throughout to “arwydd,” or ensign. Thus we may suppose that Gwenabwy bore the Dragon for his arms, which device conveyed the idea of devastation, rather than that of cultivation.
[120d] The Bard, according to his general custom, is here contrasting the two aspects of his hero’s character, the domestic and the martial.
[121a] A person of the name of Gwenabwy is mentioned in the Hoiannau of Merddin.—Myv. Arch. v. i. p. 137.
[121b] Llywarch Hen had a son of the name of Gwên: see his Elegy on Old Age, where he speaks in rapturous terms of the youth’s valour.
“Pedwar meib ar ugaint a’m bu,
Eurdorchawg, tywysawg llu;
Oedd Gwên goreu o naddu,” &c.Four and twenty sons I have had,
Wearing the golden chain, leaders of armies;
Gwên was the best of them.
[121c] “Mai y mead y gathleu.” There seems to be a playful allusion in these words to mewian and cath, the mewing of a cat.